He said that it was important for families to have “the conversation” around organ donation and for people to have their wishes clear in advance of any unforeseen accidents or issues.

Tinsley (30) had been on a waiting list for a lung transplant for some time, and had been called six times previously about potential transplants. In December, her seventh call led to the operation going ahead.

The journalist and cystic fibrosis activist had been on the waiting list for a double lung transplant since she suffered respiratory failure last year.

Tweeting on Stephen’s Day, she said:

Thank you, everyone, for all your love and support. I now have shiny new lungs and spent yesterday, with my family, thinking of my donor and their family I am forever grateful for their forward thinking and generosity. #recycleyourself #beatcf